• 1. Brief Introduction

• This center’s objects of study are members of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF). France occupies an important position in Europe and the whole world in terms of politics, economy and culture. French is regarded as one of the two international languages, and French speaking countries and regions extend all over five continents. 42% of Francophone population live in Europe and 39% in Africa, and France ranks first, then Democratic Republic of Congo, Algeria, Cote d'Ivoire, Canada, Morocco, Cameron, Tunisia, Belgium, etc.

• OIF was created in 1970, after 21 Francophone countries signed the Treaty of Establishing the Agency of Cultural and Technological Cooperation (ACCT) in Niamey of Niger. Promoted by French President François Mitterrand, the First Summit of OIF member states and governments was held in 1986, since then it became a biennial meeting. In recent years, more new members joined this organization, with the continuous growth of French speaking population, especially in Sub-Saharan countries. Until now, OIF has 54 members, 4 associate members and 26 observers. It developed from a loose body to a multi-functional and comprehensive international organization, and expanded its objectives from primarily maintaining the global position of French language to political and economic fields. So far, OIF becomes a new important part in international relations, as it plays an unique role in world arena and creates a new subject of scientific research, with its large membership, influence in international affairs and innovative ideas, for instance, promoting the adoption of UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of Diversity of Cultural Expression in 2005.

• 2. Functions

In the spirit of openness and service, the objects of study will focus on OIF, its members (now 84) and Francophone countries and regions (such as Algeria), by means of a combination of research, teaching and consulting. Supported by China Foreign Affairs University (CFAU), this center will integrate all sorts of researchers, including undergraduates and graduates, through sincerely inviting experienced and skilled consultants at home and abroad, or gathering social resources by member recruitment. It will contribute to in-depth understanding of political, economic and cultural situations and growing trends of France and Francophone countries and regions, to broader channels of communications with others, and to China’s political, economic, social and diplomatic development. Also, it will provide a platform for the improvement of language teaching and academic research, and for the expansion of exchanges and cooperation with CFAU counterparts.

• 3. Research

• Researchers: related CFAU researchers are backbones, social counterparts and professionals are welcome to participate, and keep contact and academic cooperation with international scholars and researchers.  

• Academic Research: practice an open supervising system of research projects, namely according to policy requirements, growing trends and academic exchanges, decide subjects through discussions, then respectively conduct projects in political, economic, social and cultural fields.

• Academic Exchanges: sincerely invite domestic and international experts and scholars to academic conferences, hold series of lectures, promote bilateral and multilateral cooperation programs, and pay attention to alumni network.

• Academic Achievements: on the basis of projects, complete thesis and monographs, and then publish research results.

• （1）Teaching

• In the framework of university teaching and training, set “Research on Francophone Countries and Regions” as a specialty for CFAU postgraduates of French majors. Students can be from both CFAU and other universities. The two-semester course mainly includes geo-politics and geo-economics of Francophone countries and regions.

• （2）Other activities

• The center is not only an organization for scientific research, but also for consultations. It can organize systemic training courses for diplomats, and short-term crash courses for officials to understand languages of certain Francophone countries and their basic political, social and cultural conditions.

• （3）Finance

• The center is financed basically by CFAU, and assisted by scientific research projects. Diversified academic exchanges, teaching, training and consulting activities may attract more supports from social groups, organizations and individuals both at home and abroad.

• 4. Organization

  Director: LI Dan

  Deputy Directors: HOU Qibin, YU Bei

  Secretariat: HOU Qibin

• Special Advisers:

• Members：

Contact: R380 Main Building, China Foreign Affairs University,

              No. 24 Zhanlanguan Road, Western District, Beijing 100037

Tel: +86-10-68323918

E-mail: waiyuxi@cfau.edu.cn